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The Reverend Samuel Parris, Minister of Salem, follows three strangers in the forest beyond the village — a forest which is traditionally believed to be the source of much evil. He hears movement through the trees, steps forward and makes a terrible discovery. It is one which will change life in Salem forever.

The TARDIS arrives in Salem Village, Massachusetts, 1692. The Doctor wishes to effect repairs to his ship in peace and privacy, and so his companions — Ian, Barbara and Susan — decide to "live history" for a week or so. But the friendships they make are abruptly broken when the Doctor ushers them away, wary of being overtaken by the tragic events he knows will occur.

Upon learning the terrible truth of the Salem witch trials, Susan is desperate to return — at any price. Her actions lead the TARDIS crew into terrible jeopardy, and her latent telepathy threatens to help the tragedy escalate way out of control...

With the Doctor wanting to repair the TARDIS in peace and quiet, Barbara, Ian and Susan decide to get some experience of living in the nearby village of Salem. But the Doctor knows about the horrors destined to engulf the village and determines that they should leave.

His friends are not impressed. His granddaughter Susan has her own ideas, and is desperate to return, whatever the cost. But perhaps the Doctor was right. Perhaps Susan's actions will lead them all into terrible danger and cause the tragedy that is already unfolding to escalate out of control.

An adventure set in the 17th century Salem Witch Trials, featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell and his companions Susan, Ian, and Barbara.

While searching for Susan in the forest outside Salem Village, the Doctor tells Barbara that he is "not a mountain goat." (TV: The Time Meddler)

The Doctor is afraid of breaking the First Law of Time to the extent that he condemns Rebecca Nurse to death. This is a far cry from his later behaviour when he attempts to rewrite history by saving three people from certain death. (TV: The Waters of Mars)

The Doctor's fourth visit to Salem was granted to him by Rassilon to allow him to deal with unfinished business before his first incarnation ended. (TV: The Five Doctors)

Susan claims she has "attended religious ceremonies before, on several worlds", and at the best of them was "bolstered by the joy and love of the worshippers, even though she had not shared their faith." The Eleventh Doctor was familiar with the impressive religious ceremonies on Akhaten and told Clara Oswald that he had not visited the planet since his trip with Susan. (TV: The Rings of Akhaten)